News/Events
From the Indie Source – June 10, 2023
Indiana-born Emily Masson eventually migrated to Telluride, Colorado where she lived for a quarter century. It’s there that she discovered her musical voice in full. She began writing for herself initially. It wasn’t long, however, before a chance encounter with Rob and Michele Jones of Jones for Sound studios and sound production opened a new chapter in her life. She started recording her material with some of the best available regional musicians. The collaborative process birthed her 2021 debut Twenty-First Century Mood and she continues reaping rewards with the release of her second album Lost at Home.
The eleven-song collection kicks off with its title track. Title cuts are often definitive statements for a respective release, often buried in the middle or near the end of an album, so you can hear starting things off like this as an assertive move. It reeks of confidence and, in this case, justifies itself. Her relaxed and sometimes quavering vocals have a reflective touch and address the song’s theme with appropriate sensitivity. It’s difficult to not hear this song divorced from the dislocation of pandemic lockdowns, but it’s never dogmatic. The tasteful and slightly breezy musical accompaniment is ideal for the track.
From Pop Icon Magazine – June 9, 2023
Emily Masson’s second album Lost at Home widens the scope of her 2021 debut Twenty-First Century Mood without ever losing the intimacy of that release. She refuses to allow anyone to pigeonhole her into a musical corner and underpins the far-ranging artistry of the album’s eleven songs with a personal touch. It’s nakedly autobiographical, she’s definitely no stranger to the singer/songwriter style, but Masson’s talent for applying her personal experiences to the full range of listeners’ experiences guides her songs at every turn.
“Lost at Home” delivers on that promise. She writes about existential dislocation with a keen eye and the repetition laden throughout the lyrics does not weary me. It drives the song’s mood home without ever sounding redundant. The Colorado-based songwriter benefits from the finest local musicians playing her music and their layered sympathetic backing is the song’s crowning achievement. The light atmospherics of “Become the One” supplies an intelligent change of pace from the album’s opening duo. Masson’s stylish vocals are never ornamental but, instead, evoke the same mood as the music. She has a smoky vibe, never rushed, and the lyrics are among the album’s best.
From Plastic – May 29, 2023
Singer-songwriter originally hailing from Indiana and now residing in Telluride, Colorado, Emily Masson has captured the essence of folk rock in her latest album titled lost at home. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings and life experiences, Masson has crafted an enchanting collection of songs that showcase her vocal talent and songwriting prowess.
With the guidance of Rob and Michele Jones from Jones for Sound in Montrose, Colorado, Masson embarked on a musical journey that led to the creation of the new record. Collaborating with regional musicians such as Rob Jones on guitars, Levi Brown on bass and Mike Beck on drums, along with the addition of Tia Brown on backup vocals, the album features a cohesive and well-rounded sound. Notably, the album also includes a standout collaboration with AJ Fullerton on the track “life begins again.”
From the Spectacle of Music – May 23, 2023
Emily Masson is an Indiana native now based in Chicago whose latest album is titled lost at home, her newest music since 2021’s twenty first century mood. I’d written about that previous album, noting that despite giving off a folky acoustic vibe, Masson’s songs and vocals were closer to Patti Smith or Sleater-Kinney. Indeed, Masson claims Lou Reed, Michelle Shocked, R.E.M. and Bob Mould as influences. The most amazing part of her story is that she only began putting her poems and lyrics to music after 25 years of raising a family. At the time of her debut album’s release I noted that despite their high quality, some of her songs tended to feel similar; thus I was quite eager to see what time and experience would bring to her new work.
This time out Masson recorded in a different studio (she calls these “living room sessions”) with her same musical crew plus some guests: Rob Jones (lead guitar melodies), Levi Brown (bass), Mike Beck (drums), Michele Gomez (percussion) and Tia Brown (backing vocals).
From The Hollywood Digest – March 5, 2003
Emily Masson is an artist who not only brings fantastically emotional and enticing vocals to the table — she also offers incredible songwriting, and not many artists can do both. On lost at home, we’re treated to an intimate acoustic rock experience, driven prominently by Masson’s evocative singing and guitar passages. She has such a devastatingly delicate voice. I’m a real sucker for gentle, intimate singing, and Emily is operating in her wheelhouse when it comes to that vocal style. For instance, on “lost at home,” the album’s self-titled opener, she croons effortlessly over a warm and enveloping chord progression. I love her vocal harmonies too — there’s such a soothing essence to her aesthetic.
“spiraling up” is a haunting follow-up track. There’s a somber quality to the chord progression of the flanger-driven electric guitar progression on this dark and brooding track. I absolutely adore the bass guitar on this song; it’s so fantastically mixed, and the infectious groove adds a strong underpinning element to the tune — it really complements Masson’s vocals. I also enjoy the juxtaposition on this song; the bright and bubbly choruses contrast beautifully against the dark and foreboding tone of the verses that introduce us to the song. There’s a classic energy to this track; it brings to mind a bygone aesthetic of country and folk music that’s desperately absent from today’s music scene.
From Top Buzz Magazine
emily masson grew up in Indiana and settled in Telluride, CO for over 25 years. She started writing lyrics and music for her own pleasures, but when she met Rob and Michele Jones of Jones for Sound in Montrose, CO, she started recording music she had been playing only for herself. The result is a collaborative effort with session musicians that produces a deep, resonating sound that will touch hearts and minds alike. The Jones for Sound house band went on to record twenty first century mood as well as masson’s second release lost at home. lost at home evokes Jewel and Norah Jones with its resounding lyrics and warm vibe.
The albumgets started with the title track “lost at home,” where shimmering guitars and percussion arrive at the start of the track. masson’s vocals carry a great singer/songwriter vibe. She sings with clarity and feeling. I loved the vibe of this track, which felt warm and welcoming all at once. I was reminded of Jewel and other singer songwriters like Norah Jones. There was a touch of folksy vibe to the overall track which I thought made for a great listening experience. Reverb-drenched guitars strut in for a mellow vibe on “spiraling up.” The drumming is sauntering and there’s no hurry in this song. masson’s vocals are hushed here and I was reminded of an adult lullaby. More sauntering guitars come through on “become the one.” The percussion included here added a very lively sound. From the smooth music, I was getting some jazz and lounge vibes. The soothing sounds felt like a balm to the ears.
From The Sounds Won’t Stop
lost at home is the follow up record to Twenty First Century Mood, from Colorado musician Emily Masson. The band recorded in a new studio with the same musicians plus three new talents. From these “living room sessions” in Montrose, Colorado, eleven new songs took shape. All music, lyrics and vocals were done by Emily Masson. Lead guitar melodies were done by Rob Jones, while special guest guitarist/blues artist AJ Fullerton played on “Life Begins Again.” Rounding out the band is bassist, Levi Brown, drummer, Mike Beck, percussionist, Michele Gomez and singing back up vocals, Tia Brown. As stated by Masson, “Music is a trail of breadcrumbs for anyone who seeks to find themselves over and over again in the constant noises of the bossy bosses – in order to find our way; we must lose it. ”lost at home is a reflection – a ride through many different feelings. It touches on frustration, despair, hope, anger, redemption and a determination to identify not only one’s own mistakes, but also is a pushing back on those who seek to control, and say no more: “we can pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and reclaim our autonomy and our right to pursue our individual dreams.”
To start things off there is the title track to the album. “lost at home” is a statement that should resonate with most of us who own smartphones. We find ourselves”talking” to one another, but not really being with one another – as in being with another person, in person. The “they” that Emily is probably referring to is all the social media corporations, all the phones apps, the ads, the internet as a whole, that subconsciously have us daily, hourly, minute by minute, in chains. “They got us lost at home,” is a haunting statement and as much as some of us hate to admit it, we’ve allowed ourselves to be chained to our smartphones. The band plays lightly and mellow, mixing styles of folk rock, indie and alternative. “spiraling up” offers a bit more the mellow, with sounds of an echoey guitar effect, warm bass tones and subdued drum beats. This tune has some dark edges to it, lyrically. I think it largely speaks to what happens when a person comes to grips with whether or not they are losing their mind – or just have a bad case of panic attacks. I liked the minor chord they ended the song with. Next up is “become the one” and it features a kind of “island – lounge jazz” style and sound. This song suggests being true to yourself – “Be the one you’re meant to be” not “the one you pretend to be.”
From Pitch Perfect – Indie Music Album Reviews
Back in 2021 Emily Masson released twenty first century mood. Masson is back with a new full length album entitled lost at home. The lineup for this album includes Emily Masson (vocals), Rob Jones (guitar), AJ Fullerton (guitar), Levi Brown (bass). Mike Beck (percussion) Michele Gomez (percussion) and Tia Brown (vocals). Masson mentions “lost at home is a reflection. it is a ride through many different feelings and touches on frustration, despair, hope, anger, redemption, and a determination to identify not only one’s own mistakes but also is a pushing back on those who seek to control, and say no more: we can pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and reclaim our autonomy and our right to pursue our individual dreams.”
The album begins with the title track “lost at home” which was one of the highlights. I love the groove on this song which is a warm blend of clean guitar, steady, drums and bass. The themes on this seem to be about the powers that are controlling us. That was at least my interpretation. Some of the lyrics seem to be about the lockdown we all went through. Masson’s vocals are in a natural comfortable range here and she sounds great. I thought it was a great opener.
From Divide and Conquer Indie Music Album Reviews – Insight and Critique
Emily Masson has just released her debut album twenty first century mood. Though her photos had me expecting more of an acoustic folk experience, Masson actually channels a gritty New York Patti Smith energy. Her vocals have a distinctive warble like Smith or Sleater Kinney’s Corin Tucker atop music that has a tough, Velvet Underground edge. Masson cites Lou Reed, Michelle Shocked, R.E.M., Loretta Lynn and Bob Mould as influences.
Hearing these songs, it was my impression that Masson has been doing this for decades, but she only started putting her poems to music after 25 years of raising a family, and credits a chance encounter with Rob Jones’ recording studio for getting this album made. Besides mixing the tracks, Jones himself played electric guitar along with Levi Brown on bass and Mike Beck on drums.